“Well…” He sighed. “I think he wanted me to jump in and save you. He must have been creating a situation where a fake threat would make me defend you, and then youwouldsee- “
He paused sharply and stoppedspeaking.
“What?” I asked. “What wouldIsee?”
He made a strange expression and looked away. “You would see that Idocareaboutyou.”
A few hours ago I would have thought he was blatantly lying. Now I wasn’tsosure.
An awkward silence fell between us. Neither of us knew what to say. My headache pounded in my skull along with my confusion anddoubt.
“I won’t try to change your mind,” David said seriously. His expression was stoic and hard, but with an edge of sadness. “I’m tired of scaring you. Seeing you frightened makes me feel sick, especially knowing I’m the one who's doing it to you.” His eyes shut and he clenched his fist. “So… Please, just know that I care.That’sall.”
My mind swirled with a million conflicting thoughts. I wanted to cry out; my headache progressed to a sharp, pain like an ice-pick to the back of my skull. Everything suddenly felt heavy and unending. My knees buckled and I fell, holding my head in myhands.
“Niko!”
Instantly David ran over, reaching to touch me then retracting his hands at the last second. But in that moment, the lack of touch was even more horrible. Despite every confused thought I had about him, Iwantedhis comfort in thatmoment.
I leaned into him. As if he knew exactly what I desired, he slowly reached out and took me into his arms and held me as I rocked back and forth. His hands were large and warm - and comforting. I was totally overwhelmed. Despite myself, I could no longer hold my tears. They fell, hot and stinging. David held me as Icried.
Time slowed. David’s warmth radiated from him like the sun. My touch-starved body craved him with a passion I didn’t know I had. Something clicked, like two puzzle pieces snapping together. Why did this feel so achinglyfamiliar?
Stunned by the sudden intensity of my emotions, I pulled away from David in surprise and fear. As the tears rolled down my cheeks and my mind went haywire, David was there. He watched me in calm, confident silence, with a warm expression. I noticed a second later that there were tears running down hisface,too.
The chaotic storm of emotions swirling inside me finally caught up to me. Ipassedout.
